Block party teaches fire safety lessons

October 10, 2008|MAY LEE JOHNSON Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND It was all about Fire Prevention at the Monroe Circle Block Party on Tuesday. Children and adults alike were excited to learn as much as they could. The block party was to help educate youth and their parents about safe practices and ways to prevent accidental fires. "The Housing Authority has suffered fires at two of our affordable-housing units this summer," said Stephanie Ball, manager of Resident Initiatives for the South Bend group. "Today, we are reaching out to our residents by hosting our first annual Prevention and Safety Sense (PASS) Block Party." Children saw an informational video and received a healthy meal. They had a chance to tour the firefighters' "Smoke House." They also met the firehouse mascot, Sparky, also known as Jeff Bridges. While there were lots of laughs to go around, firefighters reminded the children that fire is no laughing matter. "The fire safety house was fun, but I got a scared when the smoke came in," said Tandrea Gordan 9. "I learned that it's not safe to play with fire, and I won't." These are important lessons you're never too old to learn. "If we can prevent one child from being injured, then this block party will have been a success," Ball said. Sponsors of the event were insurance companies and the Junior League.Staff writer May Lee Johnson: mjohnson@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6326